Washing-machine.



Patented Sept. 3, l90l'.

w. J. POTTER. WASHING MACHINE.

(Application filed at. 26, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Shani l.

No. 68!,973. Patented Sept. 3, I901.

W. J. POTTER.

WASHING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 26, 1901.) x (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shoat 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICE.

\V JOSIAH POTTER, OF WATERLOO, IOlVA.

WASHING-MACHINE.

STECIFIGATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 681,973, dated September 3, 1901.

Application filed March 26, 1901. Serial No. 62,956. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, W JOSIAH POTTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Waterloo, in the county of Blackhawk and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in VVashing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in washing-machines, and more particularly to that class in whicha reciprocating rubber or scrubber is used.

One object of my invention is to provide a washing-machine in which both the scrubber and scrubbing-surfaces are reciprocated.

Another object of my invention is to provide a washing-machine in which the scrubber is adjusted to or from either of the scrubhing-surfaces.

.A still further object of my invention is to provide a washing-machine in which the scrubber is carried by the scrubbing surfaces or boards, whereby when one is removed the other is necessarily removed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my machine. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my scrubber and scrubbing-boards removed. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 4: is a top plan view, partly in section. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a part of one side of the receptacle, showing the bearings.

Referring now to the drawings, A represents a receptacle or box which is preferably rectangular in shape and suitably mounted upon legs Bin any desired manner. receptacle is water-tight and has in the inner faces of the sides vertically-arranged slots 1) opposite each other, and said slots have at their lower ends horizontally-extending slots b, which have in the lower faces thereof a plate a, having bearings c and d, one below the slot b and the otherat one side thereof. Within said receptacle or box is a scrubbingframe 0, resting loosely on the bottom thereof and of a length less than that of the receptacle, which is composed of two solid sides D, which are provided intermediate their ends and top and bottom with horizontally oppositely arranged slots E. The ends of said boards are provided with vertical braces F, which have their inner faces concaved, and

The said connected to said side braces are transverse bars f, which form a scrubbing-surface on the inner side at each end of the frame, between which the scrubber is pivotally mounted and oscillated, as hereinafter to be fully described.

The scrubber consists of two disks G, having their outer peripheries connected by longitudinally-extending scrubbing-strips g, forming a roughened outer scrubbing-surface. Said scrubber is of a length less than the Width of the inner box or scrubbingframe. Connected to the outer face of said disks are upwardly-extending handles having their upper ends connected by a bar or brace g. Extending through the center of the disks and also across the scrubber is a shaft j, which also passes through the ban: dles on the outside of the disks and through the elongated slots in the scrubbing-frame, the same being of a length to just fit within the vertical slots carried by the receptacle and not having its ends binding against the outer wall thereof. Said shaft is adapted to rest within either of the bearings carried by the lower horizontal slot, whereby the said scrubber is rotatably mounted within either bearing, whereby the scrubber can be arranged in different parts of the receptacle.

Pivotally connected to the inner faces of the sides of the scrubbing-frame adjacent the end thereof are oppositely-arranged inwardlyextending arms Zr, having their free ends extending adjacent the handles opposite the disks of the scrubber and each having a series of openings therein. Extending trans.- versely through the handles and across the scrubber is a second shaft J, which extends a slight distance beyond the handles and is adapted to receive the openings in the arms 70, whereby the movable frame is moved backward and forward as the scrubber is oscillated.

Near one end and at the top of the receptacle is pivoted a frame K, having on the sides forwardly-extending arms 0, connected at the sides by cross-bars .9, said arms being adapted to pass on the outside of the operating-handles and to enter recesses v in the opposite end of the receptacle and to rest upon the top of the movable frame, whereby the said frame is held in the bottom of the receptacle.

Theoperation of my device is as follows:

IOO

All of the parts being in their normal positions, the handles are rocked back and forth, and the arm being connected thereto above the pivotal point of the oscillating scrubber and the other end connected to the sliding frame the said sliding frame is carried in just the opposite direction to the oscillating scrubber, whereby the scrubber is first brought in contact with one scrubbing-surface of the sliding frame and then with the other. When the shaft of the oscillating member is mounted in the first bearing below the vertical slot, the throw of the handles and the oscillation of the member connected thereto are limited in one direction by the frame coming in contact with the end of the receptacle, and when in the other bearing is limited in the opposite direction by coming in contact with the opposite end of the receptacle, as the frame is connected to the scrubber. When it is desired to have a larger space at one side of the oscillating member than the other, the arms 7c are sprung outwardly and inserted upon the transverse shaft by another set of open ings, whereby a larger space is left at one end than at the other.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. A washing-machine comprising a receptacle, a sliding member having oppositelyarranged slots in its sides, scrubbing-boards carried by the ends of said member, a scrubber having a shaft passing through said slots and horizontally adj ustably mounted in the receptacle, and means operated by the scrub her for sliding said member, substantially as described.

2. A Washing-machine comprising a receptacle, a sliding member therein having washing-boards at the ends, and oppositely-arranged horizontal slots in the sides, a series of bearings carried by the sides of the receptacle opposite said slots, a scrubber having a shaft adapted to pass through said slots and to rest in the bearings, and means carried by the scrubber for operating the sliding member, substantially as described.

3. A washing-machine comprising a receptacle having oppositely-arranged vertical slots in the sides and horizontal slots connected therewith, bearings carried by the lower face of said horizontal slots, a sliding member within the receptacle having scrubbingboards at its ends, and the sides provided with horizontally-extending slots opposite the slots in the receptacle, a scrubber intermediate said b0ards,a shaft carried by said scrubber and passing through the slots in the sliding member and mounted in the bearings, means for oscillating the scrubber, and means connected with the scrubber for operating the sliding member, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

W JOSIAH POTTER.

Witnesses:

L. F. POTTER, J. O. MORGAN. 

